Cartons



Feb. 2, 1960 Filed March 22, 1954 H. w. PUPKE CARTONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

HENRY V PUFKE ATTURNEY Feb. 2, 1960 w, PUPK 2,923,454

CARTONS Filed March 22, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

1%? RYWFZ/PKE BY ATFURNEY United States Patent CARTONS Henry W. P'u'pke, Te'aneck, N.J assignor to National Biscuit Com an New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application-March 22, 1954, Serial No. 417,579

7 Claims. (Cl. 229 51) This invention relates to improvements in reclosable lcartons,.and more particularly tolcartons which are sealed tightly when filled and, while initially-opened by breaking the seal, may be easily reclosed after a part of the contents has been removed.

Cartons of the reclosable type have become widely accepted for packaging a variety of merchandise such as cereals, crackers, cakes, tea-bags, etc., and many other articles that are commonly sold in packages containing more than one portion orunit of the commodity. After the carton has been initially opened it is customarily desirable that it be reclosed tightly until further quantities of its contents may again be wanted. Itis, therefore, the main object of this invention to provide a carton possessing all of the above described general features of a-reclosable carton except in a more practical, efficient and economical to manufacture embodiment than heretofore attained.

It is also one of the important objects of the invention, therefore, to provide a more practical, economical .and efficientlreelosable carton without resort to excessive and through the use of elements similar to those commonly @employed in conventional cartons, so arranged and utilized, however, ina manner to attain the above-described objective. 1 g

It is a further object of the invention to provide a carton which :is especially adapted for use in the field of fractionalweight or quantity cracker packaging, particularly that of thin saltine crackers. A practice which hast-gained wide acceptance in recent .years in the art of cracker packaging is the method of using slug packets each of which consists of a quantity of crackers enclosed in a heat-sealed, moisture and vapor-proof, flexible wrapper. The carton exemplified by the presentinvention is particularly appropriate for enclosing two or more of the above-described slug packets. The foregoing combination of a'multiple packets and the'reclosable carton which will be disclosed in more detail hereinafter provides a unitary package possessing not only an ap- Lpera'nce in keeping with good taste, but a maximum de- .greeof protection and convenience as well.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a carton which'will protect consumer-sized units against physical damage, adulteration, or tampering with the contents therein before'reaching the consumer.

-An important feature 'ofthe invention is the provision of projecting tongues or tabs which form part of one of the closure flaps to serve the two-fold purpose of first, facilitating the introduction 'of a knife blade or similar i nstrument between the sealed cover panels when breaking the seal, and second, reclosing and interlocking the closure flaps after the carton has been initially opened.

It is also a feature of the invention that the carton blanks of which the carton is formed may be manufactured economically and with "a high degree of efiiciency. This is' particularly important not only from'the stand- 2,923,454 Patented Feb. 2,, 1960 but also because of the high degree of mechanization which is available in carton assembling and setting-up machinery, the high operating speed of which is critically dependent upon the precision qualities .of the carton blanks being supplied thereto.

'The economic importance of the present 'invention'becomes impressive when once it is realize'd'thatthe overall manufacture of cartons of thistype in th'e'Unit'ed States at the present time is estimated Tto;be over several hundreds of millions ofcartons annually. One user alone is currently contemplating the production and distribution of approximately million o'f'these cartons ,peryear, and the saving of carton material (usuallypaperboard) which-is consumed in the production .ofthis vast quantity of cartons is estimated to aggregate ,ajyea'rly saving of approximatelyaa quarter million dollars'in material, handling and transportation costs. Actually, the saving .in material is attained through a reduction in the over-all size of the mill-suppliedsheets of paperboard from which the carton blanks are cut. Ordinarily, for theone .pound size carton which is used for packaging four A pound packets or so called slug packs of soda crackers, a sheet 66" X 37" is provided from which eight'carton blanks are formed. From sheets of this size the wellknown straight-tuck type of carton is produced. This type of carton comprises a reclosable end panel (or body panel as the case maybe.) extending across the entire opening at one end of the carton plus .atuck flap hinged .stantially smaller sheet, one which measures only 59 /2" x 37". This effects a;distinct saving of 240.5 sq. inches of material per sheet for eight carton blanks. Thus the saving of material is not attained .through reduction of the carton blank per se .but, rather, it is made possible through a redistribution of surface area by the novel use of overlapping flaps which effect substantially a 10% .reductionin scrap when the carton blank is cut. As .a result, there is provided a low cost, precision-made carton possessing packaging advantages 'extendable from the producer to the distributor'and to the ultimateconsurner, but primarily to the latter.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is (shown merely by way of example and in preferred form, and obviously many changes and variations may .be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. Therefore, it is :to be understood that the invention :is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view-of the carton blank;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the erected carton with the top'cover flaps in open position;

'Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the carton :shown in Fig. 2 with the first to befolded pair of flaps in closed 7 of Fig. 5; and

Fig.8 is a transverse :se'ction,':take'n on the lin'e of Fig. 6, showing thejtop of the carton when in its rement illustrated inthe drawings, a blank 1 (see )Fig. l).

is die eut in: one iece fromipaperboardor-otherjsuitable material, and'is provided with scorelinesso that the blank can be readily folded'to form a completely erected carton. Thefblank is divided by vertical "score lines S into. body panels'2 3, 4, and 5, which form theside walls of the carton. Theside panel 5 is extended at one edge to providea glue flap 6 to which the side panel 2 is attachedflwhen the blank 1 is folded into erected condition: At the bottom of the blank 1,-below the hori- 'zontal score or hinge'line AA', the material is cut in alignment with the vertical score lines S, thus forming two pairs of bottom flaps 7, 8 and 9, '10. These flaps are adapted to be foldedinwardly in .overlapped relation- .and' sealed tqform oneendof the finished carton; At the opposite 'end ofthe blank; above thehorizontal score of binge line B--B, the material is also cut in line with the a vertical scores S to form two pairs of opposed flaps 11, 12 and 13, 14. r

. xStill referring to Fig, 1, the flaps '11 and 12 are formed with, tab-.receivingslits or cuts 15 and 16, respectively, each of which is out completely through the carton material and arranged parallel with but spaced a short distance inward from the hinge line B-B. Each of" the I slits 15 and 16 is substantially U-shaped, being arcuately curved at both ends to form a sub-cut, the general direction of which is toward the free edge of its respective flaps The area defined by slits 15 and 16 form partially detached flap sections 17 and 18, respectively, both of which. may be. depressed when downward pressure is applied thereto without the deformation or displacement of other portions, of the flaps." The flap 13 is formed "witha-locking tab .19 at the left-hand side and a.lockin gtab 20 at the right-*hand'side of thefree side edges of 7 i the flap. The slits 15 and 16 are formed with their openings' arranged to register. substantially in the erected carton with the tabs,19, 20, respectively, of the flap 13 whenvthe flaps 11' and 12 are folded threunder. The

panel 14,,on the other hand, is formed with two cut-outs o'r notches Hand 22 at the left and right-hand sides, re-,

spectively, of the free edges of the flap. By thus relieving th'e flap-'14 at both side edges, the underlying slits 15 and 16 of the flaps 11 and 12 in the erected carton remainexposed for insertion of the tabs 19 and 20.

In erecting the carton, the blank 1 is folded along each 7 of the vertical score lines S, and the. glue flap 6 is glued or otherwise sealed to the inner surface of the panel 2.

The opposed pairs of bottom flaps 7, 8' and 9, 10 are then folded inward inthat orderand sealed in conventional manner. After the carton has been filled with its intended commodity, the'flaps ll and 12 are first folded Tinward (see Fig. 3) to cover themerchandise within: the

carton. The inner surface of flap 14 is given a spotted application of adhesive 14A '(Fig. 2) along the margins of the flap in 'the'over-all form of a' ufshaped pattern 14B; Then. the panel 14 is folded inward (see Fig. 4)

and sealed to the underlying flaps 11 and 12. The fiap 13 .is also given a spotted application of adhesive 23 which 'alsolis applied in'a U-shaped'pattern 24 to the inner surface of the panel. The flap 13 is then folded inward,

the adhesive 23 sealing it to the underlying part of the flap 14 and to the flaps 11 and 12. Referring to Figs. 3 and-4, it will be seen that the ends of the tabs 19 and 20-=do not carry adhesive 'so that when the flap 13 is folded over as in Fig. 5, itwill be relatively easy to slip the edge of a knife blade 25 (or similar instrument) underneath one of the tabs and, by running the blade between the two flaps 13 and 14, the seal may be easily broken'to open the carton initially.

To reclose the carton after some of the" contents have been withdrawn, it is 'merely necessary to fold over the 2,923,454 in l p flaps 11 and 12, then the flap 14, and finally theflap13, the tabs 19 and 20 of which are tucked or inserted by slight pressure into the slits 15 and 16, respectively, of the underlying flaps 11 and"12 (Fig. 6). The displaceable surfaces 17 and 18 whichunderlie the respective tabs 19 and 20'fwill be depressed, as best shown in Fig. 8,

andthe marginal hinge portionof each flap 11 and 12 will be sprung unwardly under tension, thus binding the tabs to hold the flap 13 securely-in place. The free end 1 of the flap 13. from whichthe tabs 1 9-an d 20 extend laterally is of substantially the same. lengthas the dis- By this improved method of construction and enclosure, it is obvious thata carton isv provided having an enclosure which is formed by two pairs of flaps which may be either firmly sealed together or interlockedf in a novel manner whenever said seal is destroyed. 1 While one form of the inventionha's been described, it is to be understood that either end, or any body panel, may be formed in accordance with the invention to provide the closure of the carton; and the invention is applicable to cartons which are of different. shape 'or dimensions from those of the embodiment used as the example. i

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: 1. A reclosable carton having body andend forming panels, one of said panels comprising two pairs of "opposed flaps with eachflap being hingedly eonnectedalong one edge to a contiguous panel and formed' to fold*inward so that the flaps overlap oneanother when folded into closed conditionand form a panel of double-walled thickness throughout substantially the entire panel area, the first to be folded pair of flaps being formed each with a slit located near to but spaced from the "hin'gle line'and extending parallel thereto, and the second to be folded. pair of flaps overlying one another and thefirstfoldcd.

pair of flaps, the underlyingflap offsaid second pair-being formed to leave said slits exposed, and the topmostflap being formed at opposite edges with projecting tab adapted to be in inserted through said -slits. i

, 2. A reclosable carton according to claim 1, wherein each flap is co-extensive with its respective panel and when initially inclo sed condition" all fqur fiaps {are adhesivel y secured together along theurihinged margins of said second pair of flaps.

- 3. A reclosable "carton according to claim 1; wherein each-of said slits is intersected at its opposite extremities by a sub-cutof relatively short extension whereby a displaceable flap surface is providedto' permit'the insertion of the respective tab of the topmost flap withoutetfeeting any substantial deformation" of the slit carrying flap.

4. A reclosable carton according to claim 1, wherein.

the leading edge portion of the underlying flap of said second pair is narrower than the distance between the slits in said firstpair of flaps and the dista'ncebetween 'the'leading edges of the tabs won the topmost flap" is greater than the distance between said slits. 1 1

5. A reclosable carton according to. claim 1,. wherein contiguous areas of said two pairs of flaps are initially sealed with adhesive therebetween, the undersu'rfaceof said tabs being free of said slits and from direct adhesive connection with the underlying flaps in orderfto'facilitate the entrance of a knifeblade between the flapsto break the adhesive seal. i f

6. A reclosable carton having four. side panels and opposite end panels, one endpanel, comprising'four flaps each hinged to one of the side panels and forming two opposed pairs of flaps adapted to be folded inwardly; in

overlapping relation to close ,theend', of the .cart'onan'd shown and form a panel of double-walled thickness throughout substantially the entire panel area, the first pair of flaps to be folded being formed each with a substantially U- shaped slit which defines a displaceable area near to but spaced from the hinge line of the flap, the first to be folded flap of the second pair being cut away at each side of its leading edge to leave the portion of each slit at the closed part of the U exposed when the flap is folded inwardly, and the outermost flap being formed with a laterally directed tab formed at each side of the leading edge portion of the flap and adapted for insertion through said slits when the carton is reclosed after once being opened, the four flaps initially being adhesively sealed along the margins of the last to be folded pair of flaps with the tabs left unsealed to permit the insertion of a knife blade for breaking the seal.

7. A reclosable end structure for paperboard cartons, comprising, in combination with the four side walls of the carton, four end closure flaps arranged in pairs connected upon folding scores with opposite side walls of the carton at one end thereof, one of said pairs furnishing two outer end flaps and the other pair furnishing two inner end flaps for arrangement beneath the said outer end flaps, said inner end flaps being provided with slit means to form a depressible portion and a locking lip in the plane of the fiap and closely adjacent to its folding score at its respective side wall, said outer end flaps being of an area greater than one-half the area of the carton end to thus provide for their substantially complete coverage of the inner end flaps and furnish an overlapping arrangement of their adjacent free end portions when they are folded over upon said inner end flaps, the portion of the inner one of said outer end flaps which underlies the overlapping portion of the outer one of said outer end flaps being cut away to clear said .lip means, and the overlapping portion of the outer one of said outer end flaps being provided with locking tabs offstanding from its lateral edges and normally overlying but serving for engagement beneath said locking lips, the overlapping portions of said outer end flaps being adhesively secured together by a glue seam.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,234,483 Luke July 24, 1917 1,546,601 Morris July 21, 1925 1,985,590 Weiss Dec. 25, 1934 2,053,857 Weiss Sept. 8, 1936 2,114,134 Weiss Apr. 12, 1938 2,167,917 Vogt Aug. 1, 1939 2,281,304 Gillian Apr. 28, 1942 2,762,552 Hickin Sept. 11, 1956 

